Cord coupling



July 7, 1931 H. D. GRINNELL CORD COUPLING Filed Feb.

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Patented July 7, 1931 s PATENT? OFF-ICE,

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UNITED STATE HAROLD D. GRINNELL, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORTO THE G. U. A.

MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF OF MASSACHUSETTS PITTSFIELD, M'ASSACHUSETTS, ACORPORATION CORD COUPLING Application filed February 3, 1931.

This invention relates to devices for coupling together the loose endsof cords, ropes and the like, and aims to provide improved means foraccomplishing this object.

The invention will best be understood from a description of one selectedembodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings, to whichreference may be had, and wherein Figures 1, 2 and 3 are top, side andbottom views, respectively, showing the device operatively associatedwith a rope or cord, the ends of which are secured together; and

Fig. 4, an end view of the device, from which the cord has been removed.

The invention comprises two upright rings or hands 10, 11 arranged inparallel and secured to each other in spaced relation by rigidconnecting means, such as the bridge members 12, 13, the whole forming aunitary structure. The bridge members are preferably crowned inwardleffecting four re stricted lateral openings 14, two at each end of thedevice, through which the ends of the cord 15 are passed to form therespective loops 16, 17. The material out of which the bands and bridgemembers are cut or formed are preferably constructed with straight orunfinished edges about the openings 14, thereby serving more efiectivelyto impinge upon the cord to prevent slipping.

' In practice and as an article of manufacture I prefer to construct mydevice of metal tubing, such as aluminum which is relatively light inWeight and may have a proper gauge for strength. The tubing stock may becut into appropriate lengths, which are then side out to provideopposite lateral openings. The remaining structure is then shaped with aforming die to impart to the terminal portions or bands an oblong shapeand to curve (tihe bridge members inwardly at their midles.

The bands 10, 11 are preferably made oblong in cross-sectional outlinewith uniformly parallel side walls, as shown in Fig. 4, and of a size toconform to the combined dimensions of two courses of thecord, laid sideby side without providing any appreciable 6X- .make a continuous line,

Serial No. 513,155.

tent of clearance, thus avoiding tendency otherwise of the cords to playand loosen.

.In operation, one end of the cord is passed through one of the bands10, 11, then out through one. of the laid over one of the bridge members12, 13, and doubled back, the remaining free portion of this cord endbeing inserted into the opposite opening 14 and passed opt through thesame band, care being used to take upon any slack so that the bight ofthe cord fits snugly around the enclosed bridge. The same operation isthen applied to the opposite end of the cord with respect to the band atthe opposite end of the device.

While my invention is adapted to secure together opposite ends of thesame cord it may also be employed to unite adjacent ends of separatecords to connect them together to form a lengthening line. Again, itshould be observed, the use of the device is not re stricted toapplication to cords kept under tension.

The invention is not limited to the precise embodiment herein disclosedbut is intended to embrace all obvious modifications thereof.

I claim:

1. In combination with a cord or the like, a coupling whose oppositeends-are connected respectively with opposite ends of the cord to saidcoupling includ ing a pair of rings having their centers in a commonaxis and arranged in spaced relation, the side Walls of each ring beingsub- "stantially parallel throughout, and a rigid member connecting therings.

2. In combination with a cord or a coupling comprising a pair of uprightrings arranged in spaced parallel relation and a longitudinally curvedrigid member connecting the rings, each end of the cord forming a looppassing through one of the rings and enclosing the corresponding end ofsaid transverse member.

3. As an article of manufacture, a coupling formed of a length of metaltubing having its side walls cut away at opposite points a portion ofits length intermediate the extremities, the remaining portions of theside the like,

Walls intermediate the extremities being bowed inwardly.

4. In a device of the class described, a

unitary structure having parallel tubular end 5 portions spaced apartWith their axial centers in alignment and oppositely arranged barsextending between and connecting the end portions, said bars beinginclined toward each other to form with the end portions oppositelyarranged restricted lateral openmgs at each end of the device.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination with a cord or thelike, a pair of rings arranged in spaced relation and connected togetherby oppositely arranged curved bridge members formed to provide lateralopenings at each end of the device, the opposite ends of the cordforming loops, each loop enclosing a bridge member and H) passingthrough a separate ring.

6. A coupling for cords and the like comprising, in combination, a pairof upright rings each enclosing an oblong opening having uniformlyparallel side Walls, and a is curved spacing member connecting and supporting the rings in parallel relation.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

HAROLD D. GRINNELL.

